Apparatus for inverting patients during X-ray examinations



May 19, 1953 G v, BUTLER 2,639,206

APPARATUS FOR INVERTING PATIENTS DURING X-RAY EXAMINATIONS Filed Nov.14, 1950 INVENTOR. GEORGE l. BUTLER ATTORNEY Patented May 19, 1953UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR INVERTING PATIENTS DURINGX-RAY EXAMINATIONS George V. Butler,v Rochester, N. Y.

Application November 14, 1950, Serial 'No. 195,657

2 Claims. 1 v

My invention relates to apparatus for use in connection with an X-rayexamination table of the so-called tip type to enable the patient to liecomfortably on the table in a partly inverted and supported positionduring X-ray or other diagnostic examinations. I

The idea of partially inverting the patient ior various radiologicalexaminations is old. More over, the inverted position of the body of thepatient is in common use in making various diag-- nostic' examinations.However, the inverting of a patient in the making of X-ray and otherexaminations does not seem to be as widely em ployed as my experiencehas shown it to be of very definite value. This is especially true ofvisualization of portions of the alimentary canal and of the urinarytract. I have also found the inverted position superior to any" otherfor gainihg information about other troublesome areas such as the loweresophagus and the sigmoid. The partially inverted position isin generalof advantage wherever it is desired to hold a barium mixture in aparticular position at least partly by gravity.

While other reasons may exist as to why the inverted position is notmore commonly used in making X-ray and other diagnostic examinations,probably the major reason is that insofar as I am aware, no suitableapparatus exists for use in connection with a tip type X-ray examinationtable for maintaining the patient comfortable during the examinationwhile in an inverted position.

Insofar as I am aware, the common method in connection with tip typeX-ray examination tables, is to employ shoulder blocks or other shouldersupports against which the patients shoulder butt when the table ispartly inverted. The inclination of the table and patient is limited bythe arrangements now existing to support'the patient. The position is anuncomfortable one. At times this invertedposition cannot be maintainedfor the entire period of thex ray or other diagnostic examination.Moreover, if the patient pended from a rotatable disc adjacent the feetof the patient whereby the'patient may be positioned sidewardly on thetable, rolled over or placed in any other desired partially suspendedand inverted position to enable complete X-ray examination or otherdiagnostic treatment While the patient is in the inverted position.

More specifically, my invention contemplates the provision of asuspension garment or harness to be worn by the patient which isattached to a rotatable plate carried by the table whereby upon applyingthe garment to the patient with the patient on the table, the table maybe inverted and the patient comfortably suspended in the partiallyinverted position and can be maintained in that position or rolled overwhile the X-ray or other diagnostic examination is carried out tocompletion without discomfort to the patient.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be set forth moreparticularly in the claims and will be apparent from the followingdescription, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a conventional tip type X-ray examinationtable with the apparatus of my invention attachedthereto and a patientindicated in dotted lines in position on the table;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1, the tilted position with thepatient, partly inverted, being shown in dotted lines;

3 is a view showing a suitable shoulder pad for use in connection withthe apparatus of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a View taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 in thedirection indicated by the, arrows; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1in the direction indicated by the arrows.

The apparatus of my invention, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1,comprises a garment or harness generally indicated by the numeral l Iwhich may be applied to the patient in a manner which will be presentlydescribed.

In the drawings, I have shown the apparatus Got my invention as appliedto a tip type X- iay 3 examination table which may comprise side standsI2, a main frame l3 and a suitable hand wheel means |4 by which throughsuitable gearing the frame |3 may be swung about a pivot I6. While Ihave shown a specific X-ray examination table, it will be understoodthat the suspension garment of my invention may be used in connectionwith any tip type table. The frame supports a suitable cushion |1 uponwhich the patient rests, the table being capable of being swung aboutthe pivot l6 so that the supporting cushion extends in a horizontalposition or any desired tilted angular position as, for example,illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The table may also be tilted inthe opposite direction if desired.

The garment or harness of my invention may be made of any suitablefabric material. For the purpose of providing the necessary strength Ihave found that canvas may be used to advantage. The garment is providedwith side pieces or straps 2| which are relatively wide and fit part wayaround the sides of the patient as indicated most clearly in Fig. 5. Thesides 2| are brought together to provide an integral chest portion 22and an integral back portion 23 (Fig. 2). The central part is cut out asindicated at 24 to provide an opening for the head of the patient whilethe outer portions fit over the shoulders, these portions carrying theweight of the patient when the garment is in use. The garment furtherhas cutouts or armholes 25. The side pieces 2| are longer thancontemplated for use with the tallest patient and are provided withloops, as indicated at 26, at their lower ends for the reception ofsuitable eyes provided in clips 21. The clips have spring latches asindicated at 28.

Preferably adjacent the middle portion of the side pieces or side strapsof the garment, straps 29 and 3| are secured to the garment as indicatedat 32. One of these straps is provided with a buckle 33 while the otheris provided with suitable spaced openings 34 for the reception of thebuckle pin 36. As will be readily understood by the means shown, thecombined length of the straps 29 and 3| may be lengthened or shortened.As indicated in Fig. 1, the excess material of the side pieces or strapsis looped, as shown at 31, when the garment is in use on a patient ofshorter stature than the maximum for which the garment is designed.

Secured to the lower part of the frame I 3 is a pair of brackets 4|. Thebrackets may be secured to the frame in any suitable manner so as to berigid therewith and are preferably located towards the sides of thetable. These brackets extend upward to a level, as indicated at 42,above the level of the top of the table; are turned inwardly asindicated at 43; and are joined together at 44 adjacent the longitudinalcenter line of the table. Adjacent this center line of the table an axleor shaft 46 is provided which fits into a bored boss 41, the boss beingrotatable on the axle. The boss 41 is preferably integral with a plate48 which may be circular as indicated in Fig. 4.

Preferably the plate and its associated parts are made of a light strongmaterial such as aluminum. Extending inward from the periphery of theplate and preferably along radii of the plate are T slots 49 whichterminate at spaced points from the axis of the disc or plate 48. The Tslots are adapted to slidably receive blocks which carry eye bolts 52which extend through the slots or openings 53 which constitute the legsof the T slots.

For the purpose of adding to the comfort of the patient, I have provideda shoulder pad generally indicated by the numeral 55 (Fig. 3). Theexterior of the pad may be made of canvas while the interior may bestuffed with cotton or any suitable soft material. If desired, the frontand back may be provided with semi-circular cutouts 56 to provide abetter fit. The central part of the pad is provided with an opening 51adapted to slip over the head of the patient.

When the garment or harness is to be worn, the pad 55 is positioned onthe shoulders of the patient and then the garment is applied by fittingit over the head of the patient and extending the side straps 2| aroundthe sides of the patient. The clips 21 are then latched over theeyebolts 52 with the patient in a horizontal position on the table. Withthe soles of the patients feet then resting on the disc, the straps 29and 3| are adjusted by means of the buckles so that the side pieces 2|are pulled reasonably taut. The blocks 5| may then be adjusted to theposition desired by the radiologist so as to allow the patient to spreadhis legs to a comfortable position.

The table may then be tilted to the position shown in Fig. 2 or anyother desired position. If desired the table may be tilted so that thepatients head is above the feet. When the patient is in a partiallyinverted position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the weight ispartly supported by the table but a major portion 01' the weight iscarried by the shoulders of the patient. The patient may be suspended inthis position with the weight partly on the shoulders throughout anyexamination of reasonable length without discomfort to the patient.Moreover, the radiologist or other person making a diagnosticexamination may roll the patient over with the disc rotating on the axleor shaft 46. The patient may be easily and quickly rolled over on hisside or on his stomach without the necessity of lowering the table to ahorizontal position. The suspension garment shown and described not onlygreatly adds to the comfort of the patient but facilitates the work ofthe radiologist in placing the patient in the desired position formaking proper X-rays. If desired to further aid in supporting thepatient, strips of canvas or other suitable material may be wound aroundthe ankles of the patient and the side straps, or instead of being woundaround the side straps may be secured to the eyes 52.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it will beapparent that various changes may be made particularly in the form andrelation of parts, without departing from the spirit of my invention asset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in connection with an examination table of the tiptype having a table surface for the reception of the patient comprismg,in combination, a support secured to the table adjacent one end thereof,an element carried by said support and rotatable in a planesubstantially normal to said table surface, fastening members carried byand movable approximately radially of the axis of rotation of saidelement, said element forming a surface against which the feet of thepatient may rest, a garment which includes shoulder portions and sideportions having ends extending along the sides of the patient, means fordetachably securing the ends of said side portions to said fasteningmembers, and means for varying the length of said side portions to theend that the side portions may be drawn taut and when the table istipped so that the feet of the patient are uppermost the feet of thepatient still lie at least adjacent said element and the side portionsare in tension and exerting a straight pull on the shoulders along thesides of the patient to support a major portion of the weight thereof.

2. Apparatus for use in connection with an examination table of the tiptype having a table surface for the reception of the patient comprising,in combination, a support secured to the table adjacent one end thereof,an element having a planar surface carried by said support and rotatablewith said planar surface substantially normal to said table surface, theplanar surface of said element defining a surface against which the feetof the patient may rest, spaced fastening members carried by saidelement, a garment which includes shoulder portions and side por tionshaving ends extending along the sides and sides of the legs of thepatient, means for detachably securing the ends of said side portions tosaid spaced fastening members, and means for varying the length of saidside portions to the 25 end that the side portions may be drawn taut andwhen the table is tipped so that the feet of the patient are uppermostthe feet ofthe patient still lie at least adjacent said planar surfaceand the side portions are in tension and exerting a straight pull on theshoulders along the sides and sides of the legs of the patient tosupport a major portion of the weight thereof.

GEORGE V. BUTLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 857,507 Wilson June 18, 1907 894,052 Radtke July 21, 19081,369,456 Meredith Feb. 22, 1921 1,693,810 Daniels et al. Dec. 4, 19281,808,496 Dillon June 2, 1931 1,837,872 Johnson Dec. 22, 1931 2,225,018Reason Dec. 17, 1940 2,480,585 La Mere Aug. 30, 1949 2,524,429 DevinOct. 3, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 117,992 Sweden Jan. 21,1947

